Night Sweats in Men Are Common

November 12, 2012

A night sweat is when your body becomes drenched in sweat, despite how cool it may be in the room. The sweating usually happens when the person is sleeping. People are well aware that women undergo night sweats when going through menopause, but some men undergo night sweats in middle age, too. Night sweats in men can also be caused by internal infections, detoxification from alcohol or another drug or because of cancers such as lymphoma. Acid reflux can also sometimes cause night sweats in either women or men. If you experience heartburn and food coming back up the throat during, just before or just after a night sweat, you may have acid reflux. No matter what their cause, night sweats in men should never be ignored. Say Hello to Andropause Night sweats in middle aged or older men can be caused by andropause, or a male menopause. Not all doctors are convinced that any man goes through menopause, but such prestigious medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic have recognized andropause as an actual condition in some men. Other suspected symptoms of andropause include loss of sex drive; impotence; excessive fatigue and hot flashes during waking hours. Hot flashes can happen with or without sweating. The skin tends to look feverish and the man will feel as if the environment has suddenly turned up the heat.

Detoxification Night sweats in men can also be a withdrawal symptom from addicts trying to get off their chosen drugs of choice. The sweat may have a very peculiar odor. Alcoholics, for example, may have sweat that smells like moldy bread. Sweats can begin and end in cycles or be continuous for days. But the night sweats are the least of an addicts concerns as his body struggles to adjust to life without alcohol or drugs. Other symptoms of alcohol or drug withdrawal include:

Diarrhea

Excruciating headache

Uncontrollable shaking

Insomnia lasting for days

Hallucinations due to lack of sleep

Nausea and vomiting

Muscle cramps or spasms

Uncontrollable shivering

Irregular heartbeat

Many addicts need hospitalization in order to manage their withdrawal symptoms as they “dry out.” Night sweats are a normal part of this process.

Danger Signs It is thought that a drop in the hormone testosterone triggers night sweats in men. Middle aged men normally produce les testosterone than younger men. But night sweats in men can happen at any age. A sudden drop in testosterone causing a sweat can be a symptom of certain cancers. If you have night sweats and any of these other symptoms, contact a doctor right away. Men who received surgery and those who suffered a deep wound need to take special notice because this could be the sign of a potentially lethal infection such as a staph infection: